How to Make a Dishwasher Work Better

Automatic dishwashers are supposed to make doing dishes easier, not harder. Yet, there’s nothing more frustrating than going to unload a dishwasher full of “clean” dishes only to find them dirty. You need and deserve more for your time and money. Let's make that old dishwasher better, faster and stronger.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Turn up your water heater. Dishwasher manufacturers generally say your water should be heated to 140 degrees for it to properly clean dishes. Of course, the hotter you turn up your water, the more energy you’re going to use – a trade-off that’s up to you. If you do decide to keep your water turned down lower than 140 degrees, use a gel dishwasher soap instead of crystals, as they’ll dissolve easier in the water.

2. Examine the drain area in the bottom of the dishwasher tub. Make sure there’s no debris plugging the drain – debris that also gets washed around and left on your dishes. If you do find debris, use a web cloth to remove it.

3. Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher tub and run a full cycle with no dishes in it to clean and freshen the machine.

4. Buy a quality dishwasher soap, preferably something biodegradable though you will have to pay a little extra to be eco-friendly.

5. Use a rinse additive to make a dishwasher work better. Your dishes will dry faster, and without water spots. You can buy a product called “rinse additive” or opt for white vinegar instead – a cheaper, greener option.

6. Rinse your dishes before you put them in the dishwasher. You may want to keep a sink full of soapy water for easy immersion of dishes throughout the day, especially for family members who are more likely to drop a dish in the sink full of water than rinse it and load it in the dishwasher.

7. Strategically load your dishes so that all possible surfaces are exposed to the soap and water. Glasses should go up top, their bottoms up. Plates should go on bottom. Bowls can go on either rack. Just make sure your plates and bowls all face the same way to maximize the soap and water’s access to the dirty dishes. Pans can also go on either rack -- just make sure all of the surfaces are exposed. Of course, use the utensil holder for all your forks, spoons, knives and small miscellaneous utensils. Though putting all the spoons in one compartment and forks in another may make for faster unloading into the drawer, it’s best to put a little bit of everything in each compartment – especially spoons, as they tend to stick together preventing maximum penetration of soap and water. As for bigger utensils, lie them down on their sides on the top rack.

Tips & Warnings

• • If after trying Steps One through Six you still cannot make a dishwasher work better, it may need repair. Call a trusted handyman to take a look at it for you. He should be able to fix any problem or recommend that you get a new one. If you do purchase a new one, make sure it’s an Energy Star for maximum energy (and money) savings.